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Queens Park Rangers managed to do so for virtually all of the first half, Ipswich had a similar approach and left with a 1-0 win while Burton Albion dug in for long periods and it took a late strike by substitute Johnny Russell to give Derby the three points.

It is a scenario players and fans have to expect from visiting teams, and what could lie in store in the back-to-back home games coming up against Aston Villa and Millwall.

Villa sit one place and one point behind the Rams in fifth position in the Championship and Steve Bruce's side has the third best defensive record in the division - 18 goals conceded in 21 games.

Asked for his early thoughts on the clash, Rams manager Gary Rowett said: "It will be a tough game because Villa have counter attacked really well in some of their games and conceded quite a lot of possession, particularly away from home, and so we will have to be mindful of that."

This can be seen in Villa's possession stats in away games this season.

Like Derby, Villa won 3-0 at Barnsley and did so with only 39% possession. They won 4-0 at Burton, a match in which the Brewers had more of the ball.

Visiting teams will look to counter attack on Derby or grab a goal from set pieces.

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It is important not to concede the first goal - as they did against Ipswich - because this gives the opponent more to hang onto.

It is not easy to break teams down when they sit deep and flood their own half with bodies. The key in such situations is to move the ball quickly and use the full width of the pitch in a bid to create space and opportunities.

Derby have at times fallen into the trap of moving the ball too slowly when faced with stubborn opponents.

The quality of delivery from wide areas and from set pieces is crucial when openings and opportunities arise, as is the ability to be clinical as Derby were late in the first half at Barnsley when they scored twice in six minutes.